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Care Opinion

Surgery cancellations

Posted By Midnight

"Surgery cancellations"

About: Armadale Hospital / Intensive Care Unit Armadale Hospital / Same Day Unit

(as the patient),

I have had my elective but medically required surgery cancelled once because of COVID, perfectly understandable, but then twice due to I believe, no ICU beds. I realise that there are always emergencies for ICU, but I feel there should be some provision for those of us who need the day surgery and ICU post operatively. The reason for the surgery is to prevent an emergency situation occuring. Some planning has to go into getting ready for the surgery due to other medical issues, therapies have to be cancelled which are very important in keeping me mobile and when the surgery is cancelled they cannot be re-scheduled straight away. Not being able to drive post operatively for 2 weeks and not knowing when the surgery might occur make it difficult to plan. 

I feel we are being left in a vulnerable situation and if our condition worsens we will be in an emergency situation, which is not good for any of us. 

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Responses

Response from Mary Ferrier, A/Executive Director, Armadale Kalamunda Group 3 years ago
Mary Ferrier
A/Executive Director,
Armadale Kalamunda Group

Submitted on 6/11/2020 at 4:39 PM
Published on Care Opinion at 4:46 PM

picture of Mary Ferrier

Dear Midnight,

Firstly, let me please extend my sincere apologies for the distress and confusion that can arise when we are required to reschedule surgery for a patient. I understand that waiting to have surgery at any time can be a confronting and anxious time, so I am sorry to read that due to lack of availability of ICU beds we have had to reschedule your surgery twice now.

I would like to reassure you that Armadale Kalamunda Group (AKG) will only cancel surgery as the very last option, given our understanding of how this can impact a patient and their family. Unfortunately, as you have outlined in your correspondence as you require an ICU bed post-surgery, we are unable to foresee emergency presentations which require ICU admission, which can then affect elective admissions.

I understand that you have made contact with our Consumer Liaison Office and that an investigation into your concerns has been commenced. I have also been advised that the Nursing Coordinator for Surgical Services has been in touch with you following your contact and your surgery has since gone ahead at AKG.

Thank you for taking the time to provide feedback about our service on Care Opinion. We value all feedback and appreciate the opportunity to understand where we fall short of community expectations.

Kind regards

Mary Ferrier

A/Executive Director

Armadale Kalamunda Group

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